Title:A Bayesian Mean-Value Approach with a Self-Consistently Determined Prior Distribution for the Ranking of College Football Teams

Abstract: We introduce a Bayesian mean-value approach for ranking all college football
teams using only win-loss data. This approach is unique in that the prior
distribution necessary to handle undefeated and winless teams is calculated
self-consistently. Furthermore, we will show statistics supporting the validity
of the prior distribution. Finally, a brief comparison with other football
rankings will be presented.